What Does it Mean When Your Sprinkler System Has Dropped in Pressure?

New Construction

• New construction in the area around your home means more water lines are being connected to houses or businesses. Additional water lines to faucets, irrigation systems and water taps means there is less collective water pressure for the surrounding areas. This is especially a problem in older neighborhoods, where there is little room for municipalities to install additional water lines. Call your municipal government or water utility to ask whether the problem is temporary or if you should have a plumber adjust your water pressure regulator.

Mineral Deposits

• Mineral deposit buildup is one of the most common problems that cause low water pressure. Water in some areas is full of dissolved minerals. Over time, these minerals can form hard deposits on the inner wall of supply pipes. These deposits can lead to obstructions in the line and reduced water pressure. Adding a water softener to your water line can remove most minerals from the water before they enter your irrigation pipes. This can dramatically cut down on pressure problems that are the result of mineral build up.

Common Watering Times

• If many people around your home are using water at the same time, the overall amount of water pressure that's available to everyone can be reduced significantly. By setting your sprinkler timer to run at times of the day when very few people are using the water, your pressure can increase substantially. The best times for watering a lawn are overnight or early in the morning. Watch your neighbors' lawns for a few days to see when the majority of them are watering their lawns, and set your timer for a time when the activity appears to be lowest.

Effects on Sprinklers

• A drop in water pressure will have several effects on your sprinkler system. Without enough water pressure, there will not be enough force to keep the pressure vacuum breaker working properly. The breaker is located near the manifold and helps prevent water from flowing backward into your main water line. If water is leaking from the top of the breaker, the water pressure has likely dropped significantly. Insufficient water pressure also can be recognized by sprinkler heads that do not fully pop up. Very low water pressure will result in only a trickle of water from the nozzles, but they will not move above ground.